The substantial costs associated with patent attorneys, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, coupled with the opportunity costs that first-time patenting entails, may deter even the most optimistic potential applicants from engaging in the process.
The major changes in participation were driven by non-fee-related factors, such as shifts in patent legislation and external events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the current fee levels for small and micro entities do not inhibit patenting, they also do not incentivize it.
These entities are more sensitive to the complexities and greater costs (external to the USPTO) of the patent process, but similarly responsive to legislative changes.
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